Beachfront bliss at Domes Noruz Kassandra
Location: Situated on the Greek mainland, Domes Noruz Kassandra is just over an hour’s drive from Thessaloniki airport. The property is set on a strip of white-sand beach in Kassandra, one of three peninsulas in the Halkidiki region.
First impressions: Our taxi weaves and winds through Chaniotis, dodging happy holidaymakers flitting between the many hotels and beach bars that have set up shop in the town. We soon come to a stop outside a sleek white gate that retracts slowly to reveal our home for the next three days: Domes Noruz Kassandra. Once out of the car and sunken into an armchair with a welcome drink in the bright, airy lobby, I instantly feel removed from the activity taking place just beyond the gate. We arrive in the middle of the afternoon and the property’s beach club concept is immediately apparent, with the pool and bar areas buzzing and music sounding from speakers dotted across the grounds. But what’s also evident is an air of relaxation – the music isn’t too loud, there are no rowdy revellers and staff members float around gracefully tending to drinks orders and other requests. Domes Noruz Kassandra has struck the balance just right, and I’m excited to see what else is in store.
The facts: Domes Noruz Kassandra opened its doors in April 2023 under Domes Resorts’ Noruz sub-brand, which boasts two other trendy adult-only properties in Mykonos and Crete. Noruz Kassandra features 182 rooms, the majority of which are housed in the main building, with balconies that offer either a side or full sea view. Adjacent to the pool and just steps away from the beach are 14 Cabana rooms, each featuring its own terrace that opens up onto the verdant gardens.
Guests staying in a Cabana or one of the other top three room categories (Ivory Suite and Ivory Junior Suite) also receive automatic access to the property’s Haute Living Selection amenities, which include a complimentary half-board upgrade, a pillow menu and entry to the Haute Living Room, which serves complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day. On the dining and drinking front, there are three venues to choose from: Antonino’s, specialising in traditional Italian flavours; Gustatio, which serves a fresh breakfast buffet by sunrise and Mediterranean specialities by sunset; and Raw Bar, the spot for tea and coffee in the morning and cocktails and champagne in the evening. There’s also a spa, indoor fitness centre and outdoor gym overlooking the beach, as well as a second, quieter pool for those seeking seclusion.
Ideal for: Young couples and groups looking for a lively base for wider exploration of Halkidiki and its bars, beach clubs and boutiques. Recommend the Cabana rooms for friends or families travelling together, as it’s easy to wander between the terraces, making them a perfect option for bigger groups who want to socialise.
Explore: There are a number of bars and restaurants on the property’s doorstep in Chaniotis, but recommend clients venture a little farther afield to get a real taste of Halkidiki.
A 30-minute drive from the hotel will lead guests to the picturesque village of Afytos, home to cobbled streets lined with quaint shops and a string of oceanfront tavernas perched atop a hill, affording dreamy views across the water.
Other local highlights include Mnēmes Farm, where guests dine under the stars at tables arranged around a lofty olive tree, and newly opened beach club Casa Mersedes.
Wow: On my first full day at Noruz Kassandra, I get up early and head to the open-air gym to join the hotel’s sunrise yoga session. An instructor guides our small group through a series of soothing stretches as waves break on the beach below and a gentle breeze soothes the early-morning heat – I can’t think of a better way to start the day.
Book it: One night’s B&B in an Ivory Junior Suite starts from €286.
Domesresorts.com
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